Court issues ICPC orders for final forfeiture of Goodluck Jonathan Estate land in Abuja

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of a multi-billion-naira expanse of lands approved for the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Model Housing Estate to the Federal Government.

Judge Mohammed Umar granted the request by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

ICPC’s lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, moved the application, which was not opposed by defence lawyer, Hassan Liman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Mr Umar directed the ICPC, on behalf of the federal government, to supervise the construction of the land to completion of the 962 housing units as earlier proposed.

The judge held that the supervision should be done in collaboration with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), the sole respondent in the case, and ensure the utilisation of the housing units by end users.

Mr Umar said, “An order is hereby made for the final forfeiture of Plot No. 5 in Cadastral Zone D12, Kaba District, Abuja measuring approximately 122015.80m2 and valued at N1,944,375,000.00 (one billion, nine hundred forty-four million, three hundred and seventy-five thousand naira.

“An order is hereby made for the final forfeiture of Plot No. 4 in Cadastral Zone D12, Kaba District, Abuja, measuring approximately 157198.30 metre square and valued at N3,340,500,000.00 (three billion, three Hundred Forty Million, five hundred thousand naira), suspected of being proceeds of unlawful activity.

“An order is hereby made directing the applicant, through the ICPC, to facilitate the hand-over of the forfeited properties to the respondent i.e. Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, being the victim of the alleged unlawful activity.”